All-Star Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick hit consecutive home runs, leading Johnny Cueto and the Cincinnati Reds past the San Diego Padres 4-2 Sunday.
The win put the Reds one game behind Pittsburgh for the NL Central lead at the All-Star break.
Bruce and Ludwick connected two pitches apart in the fourth inning to give Cincinnati a 3-0 lead.
The Reds hit seven home runs in winning the final three of the four-game series. Cincinnati finished 6-5 on its longest road trip of the season.
Cueto (10-5), who felt snubbed when he was not picked for the NL All-Star team, looked solid until he ran into trouble in the sixth inning.
Cueto gave up two runs on seven hits in 5 2-3 innings and was pulled after issuing a bases-loaded walk. The right-hander struck out five, walked two, and hit two batters.
All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save in 15 chances.
Brandon Phillips led off the Reds fourth with a single and Bruce connected against Jason Marquis (1-5) for...

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